We cannot allow thugs to demean hard-won freedom

The biggest danger this country faces is not of an invasion by foreign forces but of the rule of law being undermined - as it is almost every day.

The recent service-delivery protests that have engulfed some provinces prove the point.

How can people, who are known in the community, burn down a clinic - and get away with it?

How can people, beaming from our television screens, be proud of destroying public infrastructure?

It all boils down to the rule of law. These things happen largely because people can afford to do wrong if they know they will not suffer the consequences.

The call by the Gauteng government to establish a team to investigate protests is well-intentioned but sends the wrong message: it amounts to an admission that the government is clueless about the people's concerns.

When citizens are empowered by the constitution to raise their objections, but they abuse this power by looting and burning their own infrastructure, then the rules must change.

In his State of the Nation address President Jacob Zuma must be loud and clear that the rule of law applies to everyone, and that those who destroy and burn down property will be brought to book. It does not help anyone, including the ANC, to take a soft approach.

Today, the DA is marching to the ANC headquarters in Johannesburg. We call on both parties to behave responsibly and show the world that our political system is mature and safe.

The democracy we enjoy today was won with a lot of sacrifices and we cannot afford to have hooligans dictate terms to us.

We call on communities to guard jealously the infrastructure intended to service them and not allow their frustrations to cloud their judgment.

The administration cannot allow anarchy to take root just because it is worried about the number of votes it might lose if it were to take a firm stand.

The time has come for South Africa to decide which route to take.

But we don't have much time.